Van Haandel, Terzini and Wilson Comme together in Melbourne

THREE of the biggest names in Australian restaurant circles are joining forces at one of Melbourne's most glamorous sites.

From left: restaurateurs Maurice Terzini and Frank Van Haandel, and chef Paul Wilson.

A DEAL is on the table to bring three of the biggest names in Australian restaurant circles together at one of Melbourne's most glamorous, but under-performing sites.

Melbourne restaurateur Frank Van Haandel is set to bring in Sydney restaurateur Maurice Terzini of Bondi's Icebergs and prominent Melbourne chef Paul Wilson as partners at Comme, the city laneway bar/restaurant he runs and owns with a group of Melbourne businessmen.

"Nothing is signed; it's all going through due diligence," says Wilson, who next week begins a consultancy with Terzini in Sydney at Icebergs.

However, we understand the duo, with backing from a silent partner, will effectively buy out Van Haandel's partners at Comme.

Van Haandel and his partners sold the building to the prominent Calvert-Jones family several years ago.

The plan is for a wine bar downstairs and a mid-priced restaurant and holding bar upstairs. "We want it to be very social, very convivial," says Wilson.

"We like Frank (Van Haandel) and can see a lot of benefits to being part of his group. If it happens, it may well not be until the new year."

Terzini's last presence in Melbourne was at Crown's GAS, Wilson's as food director for Melbourne Pub Group.